Hamas Releases Bodies of Four Slain Hostages to Complete Phase One of Ceasefire

Latest Developments

Release Will Not Include Staged Event: Hamas released four bodies of slain Israeli hostages during an overnight handover on February 27. The four, all of whom were abducted by the Iran-backed terrorist organization during its atrocities on October 7, 2023, included Tsahi Idan, 49, Ohad Yahalomi, 49, Itzik Elgarat, 68, and Shlomo Mantzur, 85 — the last batch of hostages released before the 42-day first phase of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal expires on March 1. Unlike previous hostage handovers, which included staged events and large crowds to serve Hamas’s propaganda purposes, the bodies were handed over at night to the Red Cross in Gaza before being transferred to the IDF.
Israel to Confirm Identity of Bodies Before Releasing Prisoners: Following the handover, Israel released more than 600 Palestinian security prisoners originally slated for release on February 22 but delayed due to Hamas breaking a previous agreement to forego what Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called “humiliating ceremonies.” The Times of Israel reported that “among those freed, and deported via Egypt, were numerous senior Hamas terrorists.” The released terrorists include Abdel Nasser Issa, a founding member of the West Bank branch of the al-Qassam Brigades, who is described as a protégé of Yahya Ayyash, the architect of Hamas’s suicide bombing strategy during the 1990s.
Trump Calls Hamas a ‘Vicious Group of People’: During a cabinet meeting on February 26, President Donald Trump noted the outrage underlying the release of dead hostages. “[Hamas thinks] they’re doing us a favor by sending us bodies,” Trump said. “This is a vicious group of people. At some point, somebody’s going to say, ‘we got to do something about this.’” French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his condolences, saying his heart was with the “family and loved ones” of duel Israeli-French citizen Yahalomi. “In these suspended hours of pain and anguish, the nation stands by their side,” Macron wrote on X.

FDD Expert Response

“The release of living and deceased hostages has provided some insight into the hierarchy of terrorist groups in Gaza. Apart from Hamas, several terrorist groups abducted and held captives throughout the war. Despite this fact, Hamas has always been the primary group involved in the ceasefire negotiations and the release of hostages. This dynamic demonstrates that while other terrorist groups have a role in Gaza, Hamas ultimately receives the lion’s share of the credit for war-related achievements.” — Joe Truzman, Senior Research Analyst and Editor at FDD’s Long War Journal

“As we approach the end of the first phase of the ceasefire, the nagging agony over the fate of the 59 hostages who remain — 32 of whom have been declared dead — persists. As long as a single hostage remains in Hamas captivity, these terrorists will be able to exercise leverage over the Israeli authorities.” — Ben Cohen, FDD Senior Analyst and Rapid Response Director

“Once again, Israel is demonstrating that the country is prepared to assume considerable risk in order to provide its citizens with a dignified burial. Israelis understand that releasing over 600 Palestinian prisoners — including terrorists with blood on their hands — presents a clear and present danger to Israelis. However, the majority still supports the ongoing exchanges.” — Enia Krivine, Senior Director of FDD’s Israel Program and National Security Network